Landing gear for power generation unit trailer system and method of anchoring trailer system

ABSTRACT

Various embodiments of the disclosure include a power generation unit trailer system. A first aspect of the disclosure provides for a landing gear for a power generation unit trailer system. The landing includes: a support configured for attaching to a base of the power generation unit trailer; and a vibration isolator attached to the support and configured to anchor the support to a foundation beneath the base.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to power generation unittrailer systems. Specifically, the subject matter disclosed hereinrelates to landing gears for power generation unit trailer systems andmethods of anchoring the trailer system to a foundation.

There is often a need for electric power generation in locations wherepermanent power is not available such as, for example, disaster sites orhospitals which have lost all other sources of power. Mobile powergeneration units have been employed to provide power at these locations.Conventional mobile power generation units may be provided on severaltrailers that may each hold various parts of the power generation unit.A conventional mobile power generation unit trailer 10 is shown inFIG. 1. Trailer 10 may include landing gears 20 that may be adjusted tocontact a foundation 14 beneath the trailer 10 in order to providesupport during use of the power generation unit. Landing gears 20 aregenerally comprised of hollow metal legs which merely contact foundation14. Mobile power generation units are advantageous due to their mobilityand quick install time. However, they do not provide sufficient supportand stability to withstand high loads or winds. Additionally, purchasersof these mobile power generation units may want to convert these unitsinto permanently installed units with minimal modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments of the disclosure include a power generation unittrailer system. A first aspect of the disclosure provides for a landinggear for a power generation unit trailer system. The landing includes: asupport configured for attaching to a base of the power generation unittrailer; and a vibration isolator attached to the support and configuredto anchor the support to a foundation beneath the base.

A second aspect of the disclosure provides for a power generation unittrailer system. The power generation unit trailer system may include: afirst trailer including: a first base configured to support a powergeneration unit; and a first set of landing gears attached to the firstbase, the first set of landing gears including: a first landing gearhaving a first support attached to the first base; a second landing gearhaving a second support attached to the first base; and a third landinggear having first plate attached to the first base.

A third aspect of the disclosure provides for a method for anchoring atrailer system to a foundation beneath the trailer system, the trailersystem configured to hold a power generation unit and including agenerator trailer and a turbine trailer. The method may include:attaching a first landing gear to a first base of the generator trailer;adjusting the first landing gear to a predetermined height; andanchoring the first landing gear to the foundation beneath the firstbase of the generator trailer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of this disclosure will be more readilyunderstood form the following detailed description of the variousaspects of the disclosure taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings that depict various embodiments of the disclosure, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a conventional mobile power generation unit.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of a power generation unit trailer systemaccording to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of a vibration isolator according to aspects ofthe present disclosure.

FIG. 4 shows a bottom view of a power generation unit trailer systemaccording to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 shows a bottom view of a power generation unit trailer systemaccording to aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 shows a three perspective view of a power generation unit trailersystem according to another aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7-8 show side view of a power generation unit trailer systemundergoing aspects of a method according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a power generation unittrailer systems. Mobile power generation units have been used to providepower to remote or emergency areas which are otherwise not accessible topermanent power systems. Mobile power generation units were provided tosupply power to these remote locations. Mobile power generation unitsare advantageous due to their mobility and quick install time. However,mobile power generation units are typically unable to withstand highloads and/or aggressive weather conditions, such as high winds caused byhurricanes.

Therefore, aspects of the present disclosure provide for robust landinggears which are anchored to the foundation beneath power generation unittrailers. Additionally, aspects of the present disclosure provide forvibration isolators which have high deflection characteristics and canwithstand high shock loads. FIG. 2 shows a power generation unit trailersystem 100 according to one aspect of the present disclosure. Trailersystem 100 may include a trailer 110 and a set of landing gears 120.Trailer 110 may be a generator trailer configured to hold a generator108 as shown. However, the present disclosure is equally applicable toother trailers that carry a load that requires more support thanconventionally provided. As shown, conventional landing gears 20 arereplaced with landing gears 120 of the present disclosure. Landing gears120 may be placed intermittently about a perimeter of trailer 110. Insome embodiments, landing gears 120 may be spaced evenly about theperimeter of trailer 110. Landing gears 120 may include a support 122and one or more vibration isolators 124. Support 122 may be configuredfor attaching to a base 112 of power generation unit trailer 110.Supports 122 may be attached to base 112 via welds, bolts, screws,rivets, or other fasteners known in the art which may achieve the samepurpose. Support 122 may be include solid metal, such as carbon steel,cast iron, aluminum or any other high strength metal capable ofwithstanding high loads. That is landing gears 120 differ fromconventional landing gears in that they are solid as opposed to behollow. Support 122 may be substantially polygonal, e.g., rectangular,or cylindrical in shape. Support 122 may be attached to base 112 at anangle of approximately 90° relative to a foundation 114 beneath base112. As used herein “approximately” is intended to include values, forexample, within 10% of the stated values. Alternatively, support 122 maybe attached to base 112 at other angles relative to foundation 114 aswill be described herein.

Vibration isolator 124 may be attached to support 122 and configured toanchor support 122 to foundation 114 beneath base 112. However, it is tobe understood that in other embodiments, support 122 may be anchored tofoundation 114 without the use of vibration isolators 124. Rather,support 122 may be anchored to foundation 114 directly, for example, viabolts. Bolts may be seated to foundation using any now known or laterdeveloped technique; e.g., embedded bolts, clasps, etc. In someembodiments, vibration isolator 124 may include a conical mounting fromRubber Design B.V. FIG. 3 shows a detailed view of an example ofvibration isolator 124. In one embodiment, vibration isolator 124 mayinclude an upper member 132 and a lower member 134 separated by avibration element 136. Upper member 132 may have a substantiallyfrustoconical shape or bell-shaped. Lower member 134 may besubstantially rectangular in shape and may include a metal base plate.Members 132, 134 may include a metal such as carbon steel, cast iron,aluminum or any other high strength metal capable of withstanding highloads. A vibration element 136 may substantially separate upper member132 and lower member 134. Vibration element 136 may absorb shock due tovibrations caused by the power generation unit during use. Vibrationelement 136 may include synthetic rubbers such as neoprene, ethylenepropylene diene monomer, styrene butadiene, and butyl rubber, polymers,visco-elastic polymers, visco polymers, silicone, or springs. While oneembodiment of a vibration isolator 124 has been shown, any othervibration isolators, elements, or members that accomplish the same maybe employed. For example, in some embodiments, vibration isolator 124may include a conical mounting from Rubber Design B.V. Referring toFIGS. 2-3 together, vibration isolator 124 may be anchored to foundation114 via bolts (not shown) which may be inserted into bolt holes 138 oflower member 134. Bolts may be seated to foundation using any now knownor later developed technique; e.g., embedded bolts, clasps, etc.Vibration isolator 124 may be attached to support 122 via bolt assembly140 which may include, for example, a conventional bolt and nutcombination. Therefore, landing gears 120 provide greater stability andload tolerance than conventional landing gears due to the robustsupports 122 and being anchored to foundation 114. Landing gears 120 maywithstand a load of approximately 20,000 pounds (lbs) or greater.Additionally, vibration isolators 124 prevent damage to power generationunit trailer system 100 due to shock during high load conditions.

FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of a power generation unit trailer system200. In this embodiment, a three-point support system is provided. Thisembodiment not only provides support via landing gears positioned alongthe perimeter of power generation unit trailer system 200, but alsoalong the center beneath power generation unit trailer system 200.Specifically, FIG. 4 shows a bottom view of a base 212 of a powergeneration unit trailer 210. Base 212 may be configured to hold at leasta portion of a power generation unit (not shown). Base 212 may include atrailer spine 216 which extends longitudinally along the center oftrailer 210. Additionally, base 210 may include opposing sides 218 a,218 b. In this embodiment, a set of landing gears 220 a, 220 b, 220 cmay be attached to base 212. Landing gear 220 a may include a support222 a and one or more vibration isolators 224 a. Landing gear 220 b mayinclude a support 222 b and one or more vibration isolators 224 b.Supports 222 a, 222 b and vibration isolators 224 a, 224 b may includethe respective materials/components listed with respect to support 122and vibration isolator 124. Each support 222 a, 222 b may be attached tobase 212. Each vibration isolator 224 a, 224 b may be attached to arespective support 222 a, 222 b and a foundation 114 (FIG. 2) beneathbase 212 as described herein. However, it is to be understood that inother embodiments, supports 222 a, 222 b may be anchored to foundationwithout the use of vibration isolators 224 a, 224 b. Rather, supports222 a, 222 b may be anchored to foundation directly, for example, viabolts. Bolts may be seated to foundation using any now known or laterdeveloped technique; e.g., embedded bolts, clasps, etc. Landing gear 220c may include a plate 222 c attached to base 212. Plate 222 c may beinclude solid metal, such as carbon steel, cast iron, aluminum or anyother high strength metal capable of withstanding high loads. One ormore vibration isolators 224 c may extend from and attach to plate 222c. In this embodiment, landing gear 220 a and landing gear 220 b may bepositioned on opposing sides of trailer 210. Additionally, landing gear220 c may be positioned on spine 216 of trailer 210 such that landinggear 220 c is substantially centered on base 212 between opposing sides218 a, 218 b. Further, in some embodiments, landing gear 220 c may bepositioned on base 212 such that landing gear 220 c is equidistant fromlanding gear 220 a and landing gear 220 b. In an alternative embodiment,a support similar to supports 222 a, 222 b may be substituted for plate222 c of landing gear 220 c. Vibration isolators 224 a, 224 b may beattached to foundation 114 (FIG. 2) via bolts as described herein.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of a power generation unit trailersystem 300. Specifically, FIG. 5 shows a bottom view of a base 312 of apower generation unit trailer 310. Base 312 may be configured to hold atleast a portion of a power generation unit (not shown). Base 310 mayinclude a trailer spine 316 which extends longitudinally along thecenter of trailer 310. Additionally, base 310 may include opposing sides318 a, 318 b. In this embodiment, a set of landing gears 320 a, 320 bmay be attached to base 312. In this embodiment, landing gear 320 a mayinclude a support 322 a attached to base 312. According to thisembodiment, support 322 a may include a transverse beam having a lengthL greater than a width W of trailer 310. Additionally, landing gear 320a may include on or more vibration isolators 324 a. While only fourvibration isolators are shown, landing gear 320 a may include any numberof vibration isolators spaced along supports 322 a. Support 322 a andvibration isolators 224 a may include the respectivematerials/components listed with respect to support 122 and vibrationisolator 124. Landing gear 320 b may include a plate 322 b attached tobase 312. Plate 322 b may be include solid metal, such as carbon steel,cast iron, aluminum or any other high strength metal capable ofwithstanding high loads. One or more vibration isolators 324 b mayextend from and attach to plate 322 b. In this embodiment, landing gear320 a and landing gear 320 b may be positioned on opposing sides oftrailer 210. Additionally, landing gear 320 c may be positioned on spine316 of trailer 310 such that landing gear 320 b is substantiallycentered on base 312 between opposing sides 318 a, 318 b. In analternative embodiment, a support similar to supports 222 a, 222 b (FIG.2) may be substituted for plate 322 b of landing gear 320 b. In anotheralternative embodiment, an additional transverse beam may be substitutedfor plate 322 b. Vibration isolators 324 a, 324 b may be attached tofoundation 114 (FIG. 2) via bolts as described herein. However, it is tobe understood that in other embodiments, supports 322 a, 322 b may beanchored to foundation without the use of vibration isolators 324 a, 324b. Rather, supports 322 a, 322 b may be anchored to foundation directly,for example, via bolts. Bolts may be seated to foundation using any nowknown or later developed technique; e.g., embedded bolts, clasps, etc.

FIG. 6 shows a three dimensional view of a power generation unit trailersystem 400 according to another embodiment of the disclosure. In thisembodiment, landing gears 420 may be attached to base 412 of trailer 410as described herein. However, supports 422 may be attached to base 412at an angle α relative to foundation 414. Angle α may be equal toapproximately 25° to approximately 75°. Additionally, vibrationisolators 424 may be attached to supports 422 and foundation 414 asdescribed herein. Landing gears 420 may be placed intermittently about aperimeter of trailer 410. In some embodiments, landing gears 420 may bespaced evenly about the perimeter of trailer 410. In other embodiments,angled supports 422 may be combined with the plate embodiment asdescribed with reference to FIGS. 4-5.

A method for anchoring a trailer system to a foundation beneath thetrailer system will now be described with reference to FIGS. 7-8.Trailer system 500 may be configured to hold a power generation unit.Trailer system 500 may include a generator trailer 502 and a turbinetrailer 504. As known in the art, generator trailer 502 may beconfigured to hold a generator 506 and turbine trailer 504 may beconfigured to hold a turbine 508, such as a gas or steam turbine. In oneembodiment, the method may begin by removing existing landing gears 20from a generator trailer 10 (FIG. 1). A set of landing gears 520 a, 520b according to embodiments of the present disclosure may be attached toa base 512 of generator trailer 502. Any of the landing gears discussedwith reference to FIGS. 2 and 4-6 may be attached. That is, landinggears 520 a, 520 b may include a support 522 a, 522 b and one or morevibration isolators 524 a, 524 b. Set of landing gears 520 a, 520 b maybe attached by attaching supports 522 a, 522 b to base 512. Supports 522a, 522 b may be attached via welds, bolts, screws, rivets, or otherfasteners known in the art which may achieve the same purpose. In someembodiments, supports 522 a, 522 b may be attached to base 512 ofgenerator trailer 502 at an angle of approximately 90° relative to afoundation 514 beneath base 512. In other embodiments, supports 524 a,524 b may be attached to base 512 at an angle of approximately 25° to75° relative to foundation 514 (similarly to that shown in FIG. 6). Inyet another embodiment, attaching landing gears 520 a, 520 b may includeattaching a transverse beam to opposing sides of base 512 of generatortrailer 502 (similarly to that shown in FIG. 5). As discussed herein,the transverse beam may have a length greater than a width of trailer502 such that the transverse beam extends from one of the opposing sidesto another. In a further embodiment, at least one landing gear in theset of landing gears 520 a, 520 b may include a plate placed betweenopposing sides of generator trailer 502 instead of supports 522 a, 522 b(similarly to that shown in FIG. 4). Additionally, a vibration isolator524 a, 524 b may be attached to supports 522 a, 522 b.

After landing gears 520 a, 520 b are attached to generator trailer 502,turbine trailer 504 may be attached generator trailer 502 as is known inthe art. Pre-existing landing gears of turbine trailer 504 may beremoved and a set of landing gears 520 c, 520 d according to the presentdisclosure may be attached to base 542 of turbine trailer 504. Any ofthe landing gears discussed with reference to FIGS. 2 and 4-6 may beattached. That is, landing gears 520 c, 520 d may include a support 522c, 522 d and one or more vibration isolators 524 c, 524 d. Set oflanding gears 520 c, 520 d may be attached by attaching supports 522 c,522 c to base 542. Supports 522 c, 522 d may be attached via bolts,screws, rivets, or other fasteners known in the art which may achievethe same purpose. In some embodiments, supports 522 c, 522 d may beattached to base 542 of turbine trailer 504 at an angle of approximately90° relative to a foundation 514 beneath base 542. In other embodiments,supports 524 c, 524 d may be attached to base 542 at an angle ofapproximately 25° to 75° relative to foundation 514 (similarly to thatshown in FIG. 6). In yet another embodiment, attaching landing gears 520c, 520 d may include attaching a transverse beam to opposing sides ofbase 542 of turbine trailer 504 (similarly to that shown in FIG. 5). Asdiscussed herein, the transverse beam may have a length greater than awidth of trailer 504 such that the transverse beam extends from one ofthe opposing sides to another. In a further embodiment, at least onelanding gear in the set of landing gears 520 c, 520 d may include aplate placed between opposing sides of turbine trailer 504 instead ofsupports 522 c, 522 d (similarly to that shown in FIG. 4). Additionally,a vibration isolator 524 c, 524 d may be attached to supports 522 c, 522d.

Landing gears 520 a, 520 b, 520 c, 520 d may be adjusted to apredetermined height such that base 512 of generator trailer 502 issupported by landing gears 520 a, 520 b and base 542 of turbine trailer504 is supported by landing gears 520 c, 520 d. Once landing gears 520a, 520 b, 520 c, 520 d are attached and adjusted, the method may includeanchoring landing gears 520 a, 520 b, 520 c, 520 d to a foundation 514beneath base 512, 542 of trailers 502, 504. More specifically, vibrationisolators 524 a, 524 b, 524 c, 524 d may be anchored to foundation 514.Vibration isolators 524 a, 524 b, 524 c, 524 d may be anchored via boltswhich may be inserted in bolt holes 138 of lower casting 134 (FIG. 3) ofvibration isolators 524 a, 524 b, 524 c, 524 d. However, it is to beunderstood that in other embodiments, supports 522 a, 522 b, 522 c, 522d may be anchored to foundation without the use of vibration isolators524 a, 524 b, 524 c, 524 d. Rather, supports 522 a, 522 b, 522 c, 522 dmay be anchored to foundation directly, for example, via bolts. Boltsmay be seated to foundation using any now known or later developedtechnique; e.g., embedded bolts, clasps, etc. Therefore, landing gears520 a, 520 b, 520 c, 520 d provide greater stability and load tolerancethan conventional landing gears due to the robust supports 522 a, 522 b,522 c, 522 d and being anchored to foundation 514. Additionally,vibration isolators 524 a, 524 b, 524 c, 524 d prevent damage to powergeneration unit trailer system 500 due to shock during high loadconditions.

Referring to FIGS. 7-8 together, the method may also include an optionalstep of removing a set of wheels and axles 552 from generator trailer502 and turbine trailer 504. In some cases, it may be desirable to keepthe set of wheels and axles 552 in place so that power generation unittrailer system 500 can be unanchored from foundation 514 and be used asa mobile power generation unit.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure.As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended tinclude any structure, material, or act for performing the function incombination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the disclosure in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. Theembodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the disclosure and the practical application, and toenable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the disclosurefor various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for anchoring a trailer system to afoundation beneath the trailer system, the trailer system configured tohold a power generation unit and including a generator trailer and aturbine trailer, the method comprising: attaching a first landing gearto a first base of the generator trailer, wherein the first landing gearis attached to the first base with a first support; adjusting the firstlanding gear to a predetermined height; and bolting the first landinggear to the foundation beneath the first base of the generator trailer,wherein the trailer system further comprises: a second landing gearhaving a second support attached to the first base; and a third landinggear having a first plate attached to the first base.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising: attaching the turbine trailer to thegenerator trailer and attaching a second landing gear to a second baseof the turbine trailer prior to the adjusting the first landing gear tothe predetermined height; adjusting the second landing gear to apredetermined height; and bolting the second landing gear to thefoundation beneath the second base of the turbine trailer.
 3. The methodof claim 1, wherein the attaching the first landing gear to the firstbase includes attaching a beam to opposing sides of the first base, thebeam having a length greater than a width of the trailer.
 4. The methodof claim 1, further comprising: removing a set of axles from thegenerator trailer and the turbine trailer.
 5. The method of claim 1,further comprising, prior to the attaching the first landing gear to thefirst base of the generator trailer: removing a pre-existing landinggears from the generator trailer.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein thefoundation includes a floor beneath the first base of the generatortrailer.